Prince of Peace

Introduction

Open your bibles to Isaiah 9:6-7

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Series Introduction:

Advent: is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Birth of Christ at Christmas and the anticipation of the return of Christ at the Second Coming.

 There are typically 4 topics or themes that are discussed on the 4 Sundays leading up to advent, and sometimes you see a 5th added, just as we have.  

 Those are:

Hope (Last week)

Peace

Love

Joy

Christ

Recap Jons Message:

Biblical Overview of the Theme of Hope.

Constant waiting for a messiah.

Hope in the not yet seen until Jesus is on this earth.

and through a baby born in a manger we are delivered the hop of the world.

Hope is not a just a concept or “wishful thining” its a living, breathing reality.

This morning we are diving into the Advent: Theme of Peace

Opening Illustration:

- How are you this morning? would you describe your self as “feeling at peace”?

Why or why not are you at peace? What is the source of your answer? 1. Circumstantial (Victories, failures, pains) 2. Peace in a person (Boss, Spouse, Children, Political leader) 3. Peace in anything outside of Christ is momentary and fleeting.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan in his hall of fame speech describes basketball as: ““My place of refuge, place I've always gone where I needed comfort and peace”

Michael Jordan when he turned 50 years old: ““How can I enjoy the next 20 years without so much of this consuming me?” he asks, sitting behind his desk as his cellphone buzzes with trade offers. “How can I find peace away from the game of basketball?”

Transition: Peace found outside of Christ is momentary, and has the potential to fade.

But Peace offered in jesus has the ability to overcome whatever you are going through.

It is my prayer this morning that you may pray these words with Paul… and mean them.

Romans 15:13 (ESV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Big Idea: Jesus is our source of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Luke 2:12–14 ESV

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

For to us (Our):

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

Luke 2 “This is a Sign for you”

Who is the audience?

Nation of Isreal.

The Prophet Isaiah is speaking of the coming messiah

2. Luke a Gentile (Author) (a doctor.

Written for the entire world?

Is this Gospel (Good news) for you?

God is offering a gift to you:

1) No prerequisites

2) Only conditional in the sense that you receive it.

And in this gift of Jesus has the ability to transform your heart…

To tie it back into last week what we have hoped for has come…

When we live in the peace offered through Christ:

3) Our hearts are transformed

4) When you understand the source of your peace… you cant help but be lead to worship.

Transition: If you are not yet moved to a place a worship stick with us this morning… Because this is for you!

The Source of Peace (He shall be called):

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

How is Jesus himself the source of Peace?

Wonderful Counselor:

Jesus is the great counselor. (What do people ultimately go to counseling for?)

How does Jesus serve as a counselor:

Prayer through Jesus.

Guidance in scripture .

The Bringing of the holy spirit.

Mighty God:

Without Might “Jesus as the prince of peace” is an empty promise.

God as Creator, God as deliverer, God as savior.

Psalm 95:3–7 (ESV)

For the Lord is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth;

the heights of the mountains are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

For he is our God,

and we are the people of his pasture,

and the sheep of his hand.

Everlasting Father:

Everlasting....

Beginning to end

all knowing

all seeing.

Isaiah 40:28–31 (ESV)

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.

Prince of Peace:

Jesus is peace personified.

Jesus is the peace… its not that he simply provides the gift of peace, but he is the gift!

What is more peaceful than a sleeping baby contrasted with the pain of child birth.

From the women will come the one who crushing the serpent.

The pains of childbirth… bring the source of peace.

Prince = inheritor of the throne.

Luke 1:32–33 (ESV)

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Transition: Jesus Christ is peace personified not only in demeanor, but in the literally fact that peace is provided in his presence, but if you are not sold by the object of our faith lets dive into the peace provided.

The Peace Jesus provides:

Isaiah 9:7 ESV

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Governance of Peace

Established. = system created.

upheld = unchanging

Unending

Rule of Peace… not chaos. (Things may seem chaotic) (Yet just wait)

Justice = We desire for things to be fair or made right

we do not need worry about things being made right… God has it covered. (honestly this is one of the greatest oppurtunities for you to share the gospel with someone today

You may live unjustly/ God justifies.

You can rest knowing it will be taken care of.

2. Righteousness:

We are upheld by the righteousness of Jesus.

We can take rest in that he will make things right.

(Closing) Application: Is Jesus the source of Peace in your life?

Ephesians 2:14 ESV

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Go to the Wonderful Counselor for Counsel

In your need… Go to the mighty God.

In the birth of Jesus comes the prince of Peace.

Pray